Workers' groups push for wage-theft action

One of several anxious interest groups in the Capitol today are activists hoping for some resolution on the Wage Theft Prevention Act, intended to clamp down on cases in which a worker is systematically denied wages (including overtime) or other benefits.

At a Capitol press conference, Sen. Diane Savino described the “thousands of workers who are robbed every week” by unscrupulous managers, as well as the honest business owners who find themselves at a competitive disadvantage because they choose to pay workers what they’re owed. Also missing out: state tax coffers, which are being cheated of an estimated $50 million to $100 million in annual revenue.

Also on hand, Assembly member Brian Kavanagh pointed out that this kind of abuse is “something everyone understands to be wrong, while Assemblyman Rory Lancman said that the current penalties were so light that “for many employers, it’s just the cost of doing business.”

Both the Senate and Assembly passed versions of the measure near the end of this year’s session. Getting it to Gov. David Paterson’s desk — where, backers believe, it would be signed — requires the Legislature taking one of three paths. In declining order of likelihood:

The Assembly passes the Senate’s bill, with the thinking that details to resolve the two versions will be worked out in future legislation.

The Senate acts on the Assembly’s bill, with the same caveat. With the Democratic conference expected to be shy several members — and the GOP unlikely to feel extra-passionate about the measure — this seems like a long shot.

Paterson works out a compromise bill that manages to attract a sufficient number of Senate GOP votes to earn passage. See above.

Lancman said the possibility of a GOP takeover of the Senate made it all the more important to reach a deal or otherwise reach resolution today.

“We’re talking about it,” Speaker Sheldon Silver said on the issue, adding that the Senate version needed some work.